BMW Recall: Loose Driveshaft, Other Defects Lead to Potential Crashes and Lawsuits

The Wall Street Journal recently announced the recall of several all-wheel-drive 2011 BMW 328i and 335i sport sedans due to a potential issue with the vehicles’ front driveshaft bolts. According to the news source, this recall involves about 190 vehicles with BMW’s xdrive all-wheel-drive system. These vehicles were manufactured from February to July 2011, the Wall Street Journal reports.

The news source explains that according to a recall notice the German auto manufacturer filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the company noticed “loose bolts on certain vehicles that were being processed at its plant prior to delivery to dealers.” These loose bolts pose a risk to drivers because if they were to come loose while the vehicle was in motion, the driver might become aware of vibration or noise from the vehicle’s front end.

Eventually, these bolts could loosen to the point that “the driveshaft may disengage from the front wheels and cause a breakdown and increase the risk of a crash,” the Wall Street Journal reports. According to the recall notice, these bolts were apparently not completely tightened during assembly.

The Family Car Guide reports that BMW was expected to notify owners of the vehicles affected by the recall last month. At that time, BMW dealers were to begin replacing the “attachment bolts to the front driveshaft assembly, free of charge,” the article reports. However, the article explains this was only one of the recalls affecting BMW vehicles in September.

Bloomberg reports that earlier in the month, over 240,000 vehicles in the U.S. were recalled for a rear-light defect that the company said could lead to crashes. This recall affected “model years 2002-2005 of the 325i, 325xi, 330i and 330xi cars,” the article explains.

According to the news source, BMW told the NHTSA that the tail, brake, and turn signal lights on these vehicles could work only intermittently, which reduces the ability of the driver to warn other motorists of their driving intentions. This could lead to a vehicle crash, the news source explains. A spokesman for the company was careful to point out that so far no accidents had been reported due to this issue.

In addition, Bloomberg reported that around 2,000 X5 sport-utility vehicles are impacted by a filter-heater problem. During the winter, this defect risks draining the battery, though the spokesman was careful to note that this recall had not yet been the cause of any accidents.

If you or a loved one have been injured due to a driveshaft, rear light, or filter heater defect in one of the affected BMW models, contact Newsome Law Firm and fill out a case evaluation form today. Our team of attorneys has experience specific to complications associated with automobile recalls. Not only can they give you the legal guidance you need, they can help you get the compensation you deserve.

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Newsome Melton is a law firm that represents consumers and families across the country who have been catastrophically injured by defective products. Rich Newsome, the firm’s senior partner, is the immediate Past-President of the Florida Justice Association, is Past-President of the Central Florida Trial Lawyers Association, and is currently on the Executive Committee of the National Trial Lawyers Association. You can send our Firm an email, follow us on Twitter, or like us on Facebook.